The Rune Magician Who Lost Everything to Her Older Sister, Becomes Doted On by the Genius Prince – Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Decipherment complete?
“――【ᛏ(Teiwaz)】.”
Tracing the rune activates the magical power.
The meaning contained in 【ᛏ】 is of war and justice.
It signifies the beginning of a battle that upholds humanity’s justice.
I trace my finger and move to the next letter.
“Now… 【ᛜ(Inguz)】.”
The contained meaning is that of a god.
The opponent is the most disastrous demon in history.
It’s an opponent so strong that it cannot be certain of victory, even with the full power of the people.
“That makes seven.”
Since then, the pace of decryption has been steadily increasing.
As the interpretations become wider, the intentions of the characters on the tablets are gradually becoming more understood.
This tablet depicts an intense battle with the Demon God.
His Highness’ speculations may be correct.
Although it is still incomplete and not certain, the last character engraved on the tablet is…
“【ᛟ(Oswila)】…”
The meaning is legacy and land.
It is where they sealed the overwhelmingly strong power of the Demon God after the battle.
Perhaps if it is deciphered until the end, it will become clear.
With a speculation that is almost certain in my heart, I continue to decipher.
“…”
Deciphering requires concentration.
However, distractions inevitably creep in.
Just a little while ago, I was pressured into re-engaging.
It’s hard to forget.
I thought I could switch my feelings off, but…
“Haa, I’m still naive.”
I realize my own weakness.
I firmly declined the talk of engagement.
No matter what Jerick-sama thinks, I have no intention of getting back together now.
I don’t want to be used.
I don’t regret rejecting him, pushed by His Highness.
But once this mission is over, I will return to that mansion.
To the Pheles family… my family.
Jerick-sama should be the one to tell Otoo-sama about our broken engagement.
As far as the benefits are concerned, it doesn’t matter much since he’s already engaged to Onee-sama.
But still, Otoo-sama and Okaa-sama may think it’s impudent for someone like me to refuse.
I’m anxious about what will be said when we meet face to face.
Just thinking about it is depressing.
“I’d rather just…”
I come back to myself after thinking of such pathetic thoughts.
Thinking about staying at Laurier, or using my full stay period, makes me weak.
Even if I run away, I will eventually have to face it.
I also have to confront my own weakness.
If I don’t do that, I cannot grow.
“Okay.”
I slap my cheeks and psyche myself up.
Let’s finish this work quickly.
Then I will return to the mansion and talk properly with Otoo-sama and others.
I will deny anything unpleasant.
To do that, I have to face the task right in front of me now.
“Let’s see, the next letter is…”
I focus on deciphering quietly.
The next day, and the day after that, I face the stone tablet at the ruins.
I decipher it without getting bored, even if I look at the same scenery for many consecutive days.
Although the scenery remains the same, there is change.
Little by little, I understand someone’s feelings from the inscribed letters.
The sensation of solving a complicated maze may be something only a Rune Magician can understand.
In a way, it’s my privilege alone.
And then——
◇◇◇
“Your Highness, the decoding will be finished by tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I finished decoding up to the ninth row today. Only one section remains.”
“Finally, huh.”
“Yes.”
During dinner time, I informed His Highness of the current situation.
The pace of the decoding has accelerated, and I am now able to decode one section per day.
At this rate, the decoding will finish without a problem by tomorrow.
The interpretation has deepened already.
All that remains is to finish decoding and consolidate everything into one.
“In that case, I will accompany you tomorrow.”
“Your Highness as well?”
“Yeah, just observing. I don’t intend to interrupt your work, but I also want to witness this century’s moment. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course. I also want Your Highness to see it.”
I had hoped to share the moment of successfully completing the mission and the joy that comes with it with His Highness.
It was an offer beyond my expectations.
I was more determined than ever.
And then, the next day.
He finished his inspection earlier than usual, and I entered the ruins with His Highness.
There was still a slight mist.
It was a bit of a hindrance to work, but.
“Wind Curtain.”
His Highness sweeps his right arm widely and deploys a magic circle at his feet.
It’s a magic that manipulates the airflow around oneself to create a barrier of wind.
The mist quickly scatters in all directions.
“Can you see clearly now?”
“Thank you very much.”
“I’ll do this much. It’s my tour fee.”
While being watched by His Highness, I start to decipher the text.
The last row, 12 letters remaining.
Almost all the letters so far have contained negative emotions such as struggle, agony, anger, and despair.
The battle with the Demon God caused many casualties.
There is no doubt that it was a fierce battle.
There are probably many sad sentiments expressed within this rune, since the one who inscribed it must have lost something very important.
Emotions are embedded within the runes.
Regardless of intention, the conditions at the time affect them.
“The last letter…”
I already know what it means.
Heritage, land.
They fought against the Demon God and sealed its power somewhere.
Even after finishing deciphering it, I still didn’t know the location.
In such a case, I start reading while associating the meaning with each word in my head from the beginning.
“【ᚺ】, 【ᚾ】, 【ᛊ】…”
Carefully, I read each letter and trace the runes together.
I feel the activation of magic and the will embedded in it.
Runes were created for magic.
The letters are imbued with magic, carry the will of the engraved caster, and embody the imagination.
Even the characters carved on the stone tablet had a slight magical power in them.
I had thought it was just to carry the letters.
I had underestimated the beginning of the age of magic.
“【ᛟ】…!”
I realized it late.
This stone tablet itself formed one magic using all 120 Rune letters.
“Meiana!”
“――!”
His Highness’ voice echoes in my head.
I hear it somewhat distant, and then my consciousness fades away.
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